MODELLING OF COMPOSITE FROM 3-D CARBON FIBRE AND PARTICULATES REINFORCED ULTRA-HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE FOR HUMAN HARD BODY ARMOUR PROTECTION
Human hard body armour protection is a very important device in the hands of military and para-military in Nigeria. The problem of insecurity in almost all parts of the country has led to the loss of lives and properties. This research work is based on developing hybrid fibre/particulates reinforced ultra-high-density Polyethylene composite for human hard body armour applications. The development of Human Hard Body Armour protection involves a hybrid composite from the 6cm of (3-D) woven mat Carbon Fibre and particulates: 0.075µm Metal Chips (Mild Steel), 0.075µm of Aluminium Silicate (Glass), 0.040µm Alumina (Ceramic) are for the reinforcements while the smelted ultra-high-density Polyethylene was the matrix. The percentage by weight of Polyethylene (matrix) was varied from 44wt% to 76wt% for optimization. The sample specimen of composites were produced for Mechanical property tests; Tensile Strength of (10x15x100)mm3, Impact Strength of (10x10x100)mm3, Flexural Strength of (30x30x100)mm3, and Hardness Strength of (30x30)mm2. The experimental results showed that the highest Tensile Strength of 113MPa, Impact Strength of 2.855J, Flexural Strength of 122.517MPa and Hardness Strength of 67Hv were obtained. The optimal values of the composites were modelled using Solid Works and Simulated in ANSYS to ascertain the effectiveness of the hard body armour. It was observed that the designed and simulated Human Hard Body Armour stopped the projectile from passing through with good effect of blunt trauma effect. Further research work should centered on other locally and easily available materials with high mechanical properties for the production of human hard body armour to minimize high cost of importation of the device from foreign countries of the world.
Authors : Agbo, S., Sumaila, M. and Umaru, S.
Category : Open Access Volume (Issue) : 8(1) Date Uploaded : 18th September 2022